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Amphibians
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Fire-bellied toads have to
be near the top of the list for attractive, easy-to-care-for
amphibians. Despite
their exotic appearance, they can commonly be purchased in pet stores
for
less than $10 and do not require a complicated set-up or or care
regimen.
They are not toads in the true sense of the word (i.e., they
are
not
members of the genus Bufo), but rather are called
toads
because of
their rough skin. They spend time both on land and in the
water,
so
any suitable habitat should have both available. I keep my
fire-bellied
toads in a terrestrial terrarium, although they can also be kept in a
much
more aquatic one equally well. These small frogs are native
to
Japan
but have become readily available since they are so easy to breed. The terrarium for my three fire-bellied toads is a five-gallon aquarium (16" wide x 10" high x 8" deep) with a screen lid; part of the screen lid is taped over with packing tape to reduce evaporation but still permit light to shine through. The substrate includes a 3" layer of soil topped with a layer of sphagnum moss; a fern and a sprig of pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are planted directly into the soil. The substrate (and the plants) are watered directly, which keeps the humidity level in the aquarium high. I also have a water bowl sunk into the soil, which provides the toads a place to swim. Light is provided by a compact fluorescent bulb in an incandescent fixture that provides plenty of light for the plants. Like most amphibians, fire-bellied toads will eat almost anything that moves. Mine are fed small crickets, cockroaches, and earthworms. They get a bit excited when feeding, however, and it is common for one toad to latch onto a tankmate's leg, arm, or head when feeding. Fortunately, they are essentially toothless and have weak jaws, so they can be pulled apart with no problem. I feed them, on average, two to three times per week. Due to their small size and moist skin, fire-bellied toads are excellent climbers. In fact, they can climb smooth vertical walls (including glass) with ease. It is therefore essential to make sure any container intended to hold them has a tight-fitting lid. Even if you are temporarily putting them in a bucket while cleaning the terrarium, immediately put a lid on it or they will be gone before you realize it. One of the more endearing aspects of fire-bellied toads are their vocalizations, which consist of a variety of small chirps, coos, and other sounds. These calls aren't nearly as loud as those of other frogs and toads, so they give the impression they are are being heard from a great distance. |
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This
page was last updated on December 12, 2006.
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